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PO£XTZCiiL TRACT NO. 7, 

MARCH, 1832. 

PROCEBDISfGS 



STATE RIGHTS U FREE TRADE 

CONVEWTIOW, 

HELD IN CHARLESTON, (S. C.) 

ON THE 22d AND 25tll FEBUARY, 1332 




*^dnvmis Opibusque ParatV 



PUBLISHED S7 THE STATE RIGHT^ AND FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION. 

CHARLESTON : 

TBiSTED BY E. J. VAN BRONT, 

.Vo. 121 East-Bay. 

1832. 






^'^-'- 



OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE 

CONVENTION. 



CHARLESTON, (S. C.) Feb. 22, 1832. 

The Convention of Delegates from the State Rights and Free Trade 
Aisociatioas, of every district in the State (but one) was organized at 
7 o'clock, P. M. this evening. 

On motion of the Hon. Henry Deas, His Excellency JAMES HAM- 
ILTON, Jr. was) called to the Chair, and IMyer M. Cohen, ap- 
pointed to act as Secretary of the Convention. The Secretary thei- 
ralled the list of the sca eral Delegates, and tiiey enrolled their names 
in the following order : — 

Delegates from St. Philip's and St. Michael's Association. 

J. Hamilton, jr. K. Deas, Nathaniel Key ward, R. J. Tumbull, Elias 
Honv, LE. Holmes, B. F. Dunkin, H. W. Peronneau, C. E. Miller. 
B. K. Marklev, J. rfTagrath, C. Douglass, J. F. Mintznig, W. Peron- 
neau Finlev, Alexander Mazyck, C. J. Colcock,H. L. Pinckney, Phi- 
lip Tidyniun, Sarouel Prioleau, J. Ladson Gregorie, B. Elliott, Rich- 
ard Cunningham, John Bryan, Charles M. Furman, Ker Boyce, Ed- 
ward Frost, Myar M. Cohen, John A. Stuart, Arthur Middleton, Wm, 

A. Carson, H. N. Cruger, Jacob Axson, Neill McNeill, S.L.Simons, 
Edward R. Laurens. 

Greenville Association.— Bb.yXi(^ J. Earle, Wcddy Thompson, jr. 

Union m^tric/t .-^s.^oa'c^ipTz.— Joseph N. Sbeiton, A. W» Thomp- 
son, Bird M. Pearson, Wm. H. Gist. 

Svartanbvrg Association.— Wm. Farrov;, T. F. Murphy. 

narlino;ton Association,— John K. Charles, E. A. Law, Alexau- 
d(!r D. Sims. 

Br.rnwell Asf:odat{on.—J^n c& O. Hagocd, John Rickenbaker. 

.Marion Association. — Thoa:as Harlee, Edward B. Wheeler. 

Abbeville Association.— ^Vn^. A. V.\:A\, Samuel L. Watts, JohnG. 
Eraser, Richard Grifiin, Joel Smith, F. G. Thomas. 

Edo-ejield Apsoriation.—Whiifidd Brooks, A. P. Butler, Wm. 
Garrett, Abner Whatley. 

^rince Williams Parish Associatio7i.-^Jt\mes Cuthbert, Law- 
rence E. DawHon, B. M'Bride, J. M. Chisolm, Wm. Willianis, Isaac 

B. I Imer, Perry Fripp. t u tt u w 
Ft. Lvke's 'Dcles:otion. — Julius G. Huguemn, John H. Hogg, W. 

F. Colcock, James Kirk, James M. Smith, Alexander Edwards, J. 
'! Fickling, Benjamin f'cott, W. Pope. „ ^ ,, „ 

;; Richland ^ssocK/f/on.— Edwi.rd Fisher, J. M. Howell, P. M. But-- 
^' ler, Wm. M. ]\Jvers, Wm. C. ( lifton, .John Bryce, James Davis, W. 
?' r. Preston, James H. Hanaiiond, 'i heodorc Stark, P. L. :\:cl awchlin. 
,"«/ Heleva- Pr.rifh Affsoriatioi} — for Brnvfrrt. — Rich<\rd De 



' rJreviUe, M. Jacobs, J. D. Guerard, Stephen Elliot, jr. W. H. Wigg. 

For St. Helena Island. — Charles W. Capers, Thomas Alston Coir- 
Sh, Charles G. Capers, Thomas J, Fripp. 

For Ladies^ Island. — George Cuthbert. 

Chesterfield District AssociatioJi. — K. C. Dubose, Alexander 
Muirhead. 

IVinyaw Association. — John Alexander Keith, Aaron Lopez, J. 
Waher Philips. 

St. Stephen's Parish Association. — John J. Couturier, Edwin 
G'aillard, Samuel J. Palmer. 

St, John's Berkley Association. — Simms White, Benjamin De- 
llay, jr. Wm. Cain, Wm. D. Gourdin, Robert M. Cahusac, J. Theo- 
dore Couturier. 

Fairfield Associatimi. — H. Moore, Thompson T. Player, P. Ed- 
ward Pearson, Jolm J. Myers, Edward G. Palmer, J. D. Strother. 

St. Batholomew's Parish Association. — Malachi Ford, S. W. 
Leith, J. G. Godfrey, F. H. Elmore, R. Barnwell Smith. 

Orange Parish Association. — Edmund J. Felder, Thomas A. El- 
liot, J. G. Guignard. 

Kershaw District Association. — James S. Deas, Wm.. Hopkins, 
L. Boy kin, Thomas Abbott, John C. McCra, B. T. Elmore, J. Cantey. 

Orangeburg Association. — D. Rowe, D. B. Jones. 

St. John's Colleton Association. — A. J. Forrester, John R. Ma- 
thews, Wm. M. Murray, W. B. Seabrook, John Jenkins, George W. 
.S'ea brook. 

Barnwell Association. — S. H. Butler, Richard A. Gantt, Augus- 
tus B. O'Bannon, T). M. Lafitte, A. B. Browne, G. A. Trotti. 

St. Jatne's Santee Association. — Edward R. Pinckney, J. Blake, 
John S. Palmer. 

Horry Association. — J. W. Alston, E. A. Benjamin. 

Sumter Association. — -Evan Benbow, James Hanesworth, W. J. 
Rees, Richard Smgleton, Caleb Rembert, Charles Spann, jr. R. J. 
Brownfield, Robert Bradford, Thomas G. M'Faddin, James ('. Spann. 

JYewberry Association. — James J. Caldwell, T. B. lliggins. 

WilHamsbtirg Association. — ^I'homasD. Singleton, jr. W. Waties, 
H. D. Shaw, Robert Strong. 

Lexington Association. — Benjanxin Hart, IE J. Caughmaa, Henry 
Arthvu-. 

Laurens Association. — A. Fuller. 

Lancaster Association. — H. Foster, James H. Witherspoon. 

Marlborough Association. — J. I\Iurdoch, jr. Wm. T. EUerbe. 

St. Mathew's Association. — R. P. AtcCord, Wm. S. Thompson, 
W. L. Lewis, C. H. Goodwyn,T.P. McDonald. 

ITie following Resolution, proposed by Isaac E. Holmes, Esq. was 
passed unanimously : — 

Whereas, The patriotic District of Pendleton, from the unanimity 
which exists among her sons upon the subject of State Rights, has not 
deemed it expedient to form an Association, and is therefore unrepre- 
sented upon this floor. 

Bescl cd, As an expression of the sentiments entertnined Ijv thi^ 
Cii'nvention of the »atn»tism and '/'^pI of that District, that Colonc'. 



Tiiomas Pinckney, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, gentlemen frorc 
tliat District, be invited to take seats upon the floor. 

A\ hereupon the Marshals introduced those gentlemen upon the floor, 
-withhi the area occupied by the Delegates. His Excellency the (tov- 
ernor, then, as President of the Convention, opened the btisiness thereof 
by the following Address : — 

Gentlemen : — I feel very sensibly the honor you have done me by 
inviting ine to preside over your deliberations. The sources of this 
distmction I recognize ni the character of this assembly, and in the 
crisis at which we are convened. 

We have assembled. Gentlemen, as the Delegates of a People, dis- 
tinguished for their patriotism and their loyal devotion to the Constitution, 
to devise the best means of maintaining the reserved Sovereignty of the 
States, and of recovering for the country the lost, but inestimable 
blesshigs of Free Trade. Under ordinary circumstances, such an assem- 
bly could not fail to challenge public notice ; under the exigency in which 
we are convened, it has excited mtense public feeling. The signs of this 
are around us. In the gush of popular enthusiasm which has filled this 
spacious ediiice to overflowing — in the sympathy which has come this 
night to bless us, from those who are better and purer than ourselves ; from 
that sex, gentlemen, who are at once the most discriminating as well as 
inflexible judges of public virtue. W^e have convened under solemn and 
imposing circumstances. We have not come here to fan the fii-es of 
civil discord, or to impair the just authorities of the coastitutional laws 
of our country. No, we have assembled for a widely diflerent pur- 
pose — to consider and mature the best means of diiHising among our 
people a just knowledge of their rights — of cherishing and invigorating 
an enlightened public sentiment — of offering up again our pledges, that 
if the public tranquillity is disturbed, it shall not be of our seeking ; and 
that our only object, with a preservation of the Union of these States, 
is to maintain those very rights and privileges wiiich that Union was 

resigned to render perpetual. 
W ith these objects in view, let me invite your attention to the ne- 
cessity of augmenting our resources for issuing more extensively publi- 
cations from our press, and for a more prompt and diffused cuculutitu 
of them ; and likewise to the expediency of giving to these publica- 
tions a more popular and less abstract character and form, that they 
may be brought down to the comprehension of every freeman of the 
South who is able to read what it so niuch behoves him to learn. 

Uui- only battery is a free press, and in the light it diffiises we de- 
sire to have our principles, our acts, and our motives, scaimed with a 
scmtiny that nothing shall elude. 

It may likewise be deenied proper that you should again address 
the good people of this State. Since our last meeting at ^oluaibiu, a 
session of unexampled interest of the National Ueglslatm-e has com- 
menced, and is daily developing fresh event* at least of instinctive ad- 
monition, if not of cheering hope. A circumstance imparalleled in th© 
history of nations is about to signalize our aimals. A public debt, the 
accumulated obligation of two successful struggles for freedo.n the 
last etuphatically for : ree irude,; approximates imiiediatei^ its tinal 
exti;iguishiiient. ; he permanent poiit;} of the jountiy Ls to be ri .ed 
peihapd for generations to coijae. Through twelve yeurs of grevieua 



•:juJ unjitittai.afiou, we havQ been referred to this yenuti a^ a temiiiia- 
tioii of our pilgrimage and a consunuriation ot our hopes. The cri«ds 
has coijie. But do the omens indicate that relief L>< to come ? If as the 
fell spirit of monopoly Bcemingly relaxed one muscle of its rapacious 
gra^p ? 'J'herecan be but one answer to this question. The reflections 
ihar. obviously belong to this topic, I leave to the temper and judgment 
with which you will approach its discusion. 

1 he crisis is indeed deeply ijiteresting. ThisState,which for the last 
ten years has maintained almost single handed,the unequal struggle for 
Free Trade and Constitutional Liberty, now presents the spectacle of 
a people, the fervor of whose excitement has subsided in the depth in 
which it has fixed, in steadiness and ealmness,the public resolution, and 
in the flood of light it has poured on the public mind. 

The existence of this assembly is impressively illustrative of ihii 
truth. We are here the deleg ted exponents of organized associa- 
tions, which have been established throughout our State, charged with 
the conservation of those principles of civil and po1iti(ial liberty which 
\Te believe to be vitally exposed to peril. How comes it to pass that 
these organized bodies should so suddenly have risen up throughout 
our land like camp fires striking their broad glare against the darkness 
of the night ? Is it to n)inister to some miserable purpose of faction, 
or contemptible struggle for political power, that we may elevate to 
the purple some fortunate chief, that he may requite our servility, pet 
adventure, by his own ingratitude ? Is it that we may usurp the prero- 
gatives of goverms.ent and exert an energy greater than the law itself? 
!No, we take no part in these pitiful sti-uggles for power — we belong 
to no faction — we dictate no measures even to our own public authori- 
ses- we have nothing to offer them but our obedience, and I trust, 
ITneed be, our fortunes and our lives. 

From what cause then have these associations started thus into exist- 
tince ? Why , from the obvious moral necessity which good men are 
under of combining to resist tyranny and oppression, — that, in a con- 
Ibderacy like ours, they may aid, through the force of public opinion, 
iiieir own authorities at home, which are weak, against a vast central 
|K)wer which is strong, and which, under the insidious forms of a free 
government, threatens to overwhelm the liberties of our country. 

Our vocation, gentlemen, is full of honor as well as responsibility. — 
Tt would be an absurd affectation t« attempt to conceal thefiict, that 
we exercise, and are destined to exercise, a powerful influence over 
jiublic sentiment. By the possession of the confidence and esteem of 
a large portion of our fellow-citizens, vre are invested with a trust, the 
•bligations of which we must endeavor to discharge with wisdom, pa- 
■^riotism, firmness, and moderation. 

On this night, consecrated to a nation's gratitude — on this night, the 
Centennial anniversary of the birth of him whose name, as it has been 
beautifully and justly said, " belongs to the civilized world, and the 
Jesuit of his virtues to the whole human race' ' — we may well assem- 
We and mingle our aspirations for our country. Who shall deny to U9 
the right to gather round the sacred altars of his glory and his name ? 
Are we infidel worshippers ? Is not his life our vindication ^ ** hs 
tot his immortality purchased by a glorious resistance to uiijii 4 .md 
■5.TOo<^iBtinirieBal tajiatj^o ? If the spirit of tJie blest are permitted to 



veviait the sphere of their usefuhi&ss and viitucs, may we not iuvokt 
bis '^pint to hover over his once glorious and united, but our now cou- 
vuised ond distracted country ? That \i' he cannot penetrate the hearts 
of those who possess its power with a ray of that benignant justice, that 
flowed like sun beams from the fountain of his own bosorn,that he would 
fill oui-s with a portion of his lofty courage, his serene undismayed 
equaniinitv, his matchless constancy, his stem, his heroic, his invinci- 
ble spirit of resistance to oppression, that we may meet without falter- 
ing, all those duties which it may be within the dispensation of a vvisr- 
and merciful Providence to decree.*' 

The lion. Henry Deas then moved, that the Chair appoint the fol- 
lowing Committees, with the view of arranging and d* tributing the 
business of the Convention, to report at an adjourned meeting to take 
place on Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. 

A Committee to address the good people of this State on the present 
posture of our relations with the General Government. A Committee on 
the publication of Tracts. A Comujjttee on contributions. A Com- 
jnittee on the distribution and circulation of Tracts. A Committee on 
Printing. 

Robert J. Tumbull, Esq. addressed the Convention in support of fne 
motion. 

The President then presented to the Convention a patriotic and elo- 
quent letter from the venerable Keating Simoiis, Esq., the President of 
tiie Charleston Association, regretting that the state of his health 'would 
not allow of his being present at the "Sreeting, and transmitting the cor- 
respondence with Genl. Snmter on the subject of his expected visit to 
the f.'onvention. An invitation having been extended to him for that 
•purpose on the 13th January, signed by the following committee, 
Keating Simons, James Hamilton, Sen., R. J. TurnbuU, iNathl. Hey- 
v/ard, C. J. Colcock, and Elias Horry. To which, the veteran J'ero 
and Patriot returned an atlectionate reply, expressing his regret, that 
his advanced age and bodily infirmities would prevent his attendance. 
In this letter, he uses the following language. 

" Gentlemen, I have read the resolution which your letter commtt- 
uicates to me in behalf of the Association, "inviting me (in a special 
and much too flattering form of words,) to attend a Convention in the 
City of Charleston, on the 22d February next." 

This is, I think, the hundredth birth day of our national hero ! of 
the father of his country ! If he be now conscious of what is passing 
in his country — nay, in the favored spot to which he bequeathed his 
name, and which aspires to the glory of beuig the chosen monument 
of his fame — he must look with approbation on ail the honest means 
and measures which the State Rights and Free Trade Party are using, 
(for that is the only true national Party, in a country which posesses 
hundreds of acres of uncultivated ground, for every inhabitant it 
counts) — to restore the Constitution of this Union (on the preserv;)tion 
of which, great part of his fame as a statesman, must forever depend,) t» 
the limits and objects, which he himself assisted in assigning to it,—- 
And to defend from Consolidation and destruction, the States which 
gave being to that instrument. 

This redectioa seemed so fit for the occasion, that I con)d »ot re^ 



sk placing it here, as a tribute to the memory of a great and sood 
n)an, who. though far my ;*uperior in every thinjr e se, was hut Tittle 
so h. Jige, and no n-ore ihun my equal and the tu|ual of thousands of 
others, in devotion to the cause of National Independence, aud to that 
of the rights of the people and of the J^tates, which were expected, 
both by him and then., to flow from National Independence. 

I trust, that a n.odilication of the same feelings towards me, which 
procured this most fiiendly invitation, will incline the friends who 
gave it, to agree to dispense with my company on this occasion. 

1 persuade myself therefore,that all circumstances being duly weighed 
fey them, as they -have been by me,T shall stand justified in their eyes as 
1 do in my own, for not maKing the attempt to re-visit Charleston 
and it^ inhabitants; both of which, nevertheless, have many claims to 
my remembrance and partiality; more, perhaps, than any one now 
living, except myself, is aware of; for it was in that place and among 
its virtuous colonists that } first saw and felt the ef>eets of concerted 
and orderly associations of men, in resisting and restraining usurped 
power, and unconstitutional abuses of power. I'his was in i '/ 65. 
But ? had many occasions of witnessing the .same eflects there be- 
tween that date and \l^^^, when the general and. formal Declaration 
of ndependence changed the name and mode of resistance, and gave 
me fewer opportunities of being in Charleston than I had during tde 
period referred to. 

You, Gentlemen of the Committee, will do me the favor to oHer my 
reasons and my regrets to the Association which \ou represent, ' and 
with their permission to the inhabitants of Charleston generally Mor 
declining to accept of the honor which you have proposed doing me 
there on the 22d of next UiOnth. And here, again, i have to appeal 
to n.y brother soldiers of your Association (for I hear of none out of 
it^ to bear witness for me, that my reasons for staying at honje are 
good ones— and ought to be received as valid excuses for that deter- 
miiiation on the part of your obliged and obedient servant. 

THOMAS SUMTER. 

Waddy Thompson, Esq. then addressed the Convention, and offer- 
ed the following resolution; 

lie solved, That the iVesident of this Convention do convey to 
Gei). Sumter, an expression of unfeigned regret that his advanced 'age 
ai^d infirm health should have prevented his attendance, and with the 
assurance of our gratitude to iJod, that his life has been spared to 
consecrate by his name our second struggle for freedom. 

This Resolution was uiumimously adopted. 

Pickens Butler, Esq. tlien addressed the Convention, and offered 
the following resolution: 

Re-^ob-ed, Ihat the Free Trade Convention of South Carolma, 
regards with gratification, and acknowledges with gratitude, the firm, 
able, and untiring eHorts of Henry l-ee, of Boston, in the cause of 
free trade aud /'onstitutional liberty— a cause in which South "aroli- 
na is deeply and vitally interested," and for the maintenance of which 
she IS solemnly pledged by every principle of patriotism and of self 
prese. v^Uion." 

It was carried unauimously. 



The Hon. H. L. Pinckney then addressed the CoavenLion and tjf- 
fered a Ref^ohition, tendering the thanks of the Convention to Genl. 
Samuel Smith, of Maryland, for his firm and manly support, in the 
Senate of the U. States, of State Rights and Constitutional Liberty." 
Which was unanimously adopted. 

Dr. Tidyman then submitted a Resolution, expressing the gratitude 
of the Convention to Chancellor Harper, for his zealous and talented 
exertions in behalf of Southern Rights and Interests, whilst represent- 
ing our State as a Delegate of the General Free Trade Convention. 

This Resolution was unanimously adopted. 

In pursuance of the Resolution presented by the Hon. Henry Deas, 
the following Committees were announced: — 

Committee on the Address. — C. J. Colcock, Dr. Fisher, Nath. 
Heyward, W. C. Preston, Evan Benbow, Benjamin F. Elmore, Sam- 
uel Prioleau, Waddy Thompson, Wm. A. Bull, Pickens Butler, 
Thompson T. Player, William Farrow, and John K. Charles. 

Committee on Publications. — Henry W. Peronneau, W. B. 
Seabrook, J. G. Spanu, Dr. Davis, John Cantey, Benjamin A. 
Markley, L. E. Dav/son, William Dubose. 

Committee on Printing. — Henry L. Phicknoy, Joseph Shelton, 
Stephen Elliott, Thomas liarlee, i)r. Lafitte, J. A. Stuart, Sims 
White, J. H. Hammond. 

Committee on Contributions. — James D.eas, joim R. Matthew^;, 
Richard Singleton, John A. Keith, M. Ford, E. R. Pinckney", Dr. 
Thomas D. Singleton, J. S. Caldwell. 

Comynittee on Distribution. — A. W. Thompson, Whitfield 
Brooks, Richard A. Gantt, J. H. Weatherspoon, jun. William T. 
Ellerbie, A. Fuller, Henry Caughman, J. L. Gregorie. 

On motion of the Hon. Henry Deas, the convention adjourned to 
Saturday Evening at 7 o'clock. 



THE SECOND MEETING OF THE 

CONVENTION. 



Charleston, Feb. 25th, 1832. 

The Convention was called to order at 7 o'clock. The Presiden' 
opened the business of the Convention. 

P. Ji. Butler, Esq. addressed the Meeting, and moved that Genl. 
Earle be invited to a seat within the area occupied by the Delegates. 
This motion was unanimously adopted, and accordingly Genl. Earl 
was introduced by the Marshals. 

W. B. Seabrook, Esq. then addressed the Convention, and offered 
the following Resolutions: — 

Resolved, That the President of this Convention do convey the 
thanks of the State Rights and Free Trade Party to the Hon. Robert Y. 
Hayne, and the tion. (ieorge M'Dutfie, for their recent etibrts m Con- 
gress, in the cause of Free Trade and Constitutional I>iberty. 

Jif solved. That we highly approve of the late -'peech of Mr. • layne, 
in reply to Mr. Clay, Its mildmss and liberality, which we commend. 



w 

••lie not lucompatiblfi with the solemn detertuinution at which the pou- 
f>Ie ol South Carolina have arrivefi. 

Resolved, That we regard Air. M'Duffie's recent Report on a re- 
(kction of the duties on iinportj* as indicating the true conslitutionai 
point to which the dati(«^ ought to fall ; and that this distinguished 
statesman has brought to the discus<i(ui of the suhject a power of ar- 
gument and variety of illustration, that nmke his report one of th( 
ablest among the numerous State papers which have signalized our 
piblic history. 

It was .seconded by B. F. Dunkin, Esq. who, thoreupow^ldiessed 
ihe Convention. 

^ W. A. BuJl, Esq. also addressed the Convention in support of the 
Iveeolution. 

^ The President then submitted to the decL^^ion of the Convention, 
ihe Resolution of Mr. Seabrook, and it was unaniniouslv adopted. 

Dr. Tidyrnan then offered a Resolutio)!, retunimg thanks to Condy 
Jlaguet, Esq. (the talented Editor of the Banner of the Constitution,) 
(or his zealous and successful eObrts in detectuig the errors and expos- 
ing the fallacy of the misnamed American sy stein, as well as for his 
undeviating exertions in propagating the principles of Free Trade, and 
nbly vindicating the Rights and interests of the people of the Southern 
States. 

This motion vwis carried unanimously. 

Col. J. H. I^ammond then addressed the Convention, and offered 
the following Resolution : 

Resolved, That the President of this Association express to that 
consistent Republican and gallant veteran of the Revolution, Col, 
Samuel Warren, our great regret that infirm health should have pre- 
vented his attendance at this Convention. That our cause is honored 
by the support of a man who shed his youthful blood in behalf of prin- 
ciples to which he is now giving the sanction of his experience and au- 
thority as a Representative of the People. 
This Resolution was unanimously adopted. 

Hon. Henry L. Pinckney then' offered the followmg Report {wm 
the Committee on Printing and Publications: — 

The Committees on Printing and on Publications, having had a 
conference on the subjects referred to them r«i-peclivelv, ask leave to 
Report conjointly, and do re.^ptctfully recon ri;end the adoption of the 
following Resolutions: 

1. Resolved, That the printing and pnblisbJng of Tracts be contin- 
ued as heretofore, at Columbia and ( harleston, '^alternately: that one 
Tract shall be published on the first day of each nsonth at Columbia, 
and one on the fifteenth day of each "month at Charleston: that the 
Tracts .shall average twehe duodecimo pages each, and be prh:ted 
with brevier: and that of each and every Tract, not less than ten 
thousand copies shall be printed, for distribution through the Stiite. 

2. Resol-.-ed, That this Convention recommend that it be made 
the duty of the Recording Secretaries of the (harleston and i'ichl:>r.d 
Associations to attend to thf; distribution of the Tracts, and that they 
be allowed such compensulion for their serwces, as ihav be deen;c'(* 
expedient- by those Associ;;ti<.i!s rt'spcctively. , ' " 

.^. Resolved, That the .'yovorrti ;;T-i;dJng Cmimittres of the rc?pn - 



11 

live Distri.l and Pariah Associations be invited to suggest, trom tiiiir 
to time to the Committees on Publications at Tolumbia and Charles- 
ton, the topics upon which the people of their respective Districts ana 
Parishes may require, particularly, to be well mformed. 

4 And Whereas, in the opinion of this Convention, there h njj 
reasonable prospect of such an adjustment of the Tarid, as will at all 
alleviate the burdens,or redres^sthe indignities inflicted on the bouthein 
States, and it is, therefore, highly important and desirable that the 
people should thoroughly understand the process by which these evils 
may be effectually removed, without incarrmg either revolution or 
secession. 

Therefore Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committees 
on Publications, to supplv the people particularly with such tracts as 
shall explain and inculcate NULLIFICATION, as the legitimate, 
peaceful, and '' rightful remedy" for all oppressive and dangerous 
violations of the Federal Compact.'* 
This Report was unanimo isly adopted. 

Wallace Thompson, Esq. then addressed the Convention, and pre- 
sented the following Report of the Committee on Distributions:— 

The Committee on Distributions, beg leave to Report tnatthf^y 
have had the t^ubject mider consideration, and submit the followmg 
Report: 

1st They recommend that the State be divided into two divisions 
for distribution, in tlie followmg manner, that i?, that the Judicial 
Districts of Edgefield, Lexington, Richland, Kershaw, and Chester- 
field, shall form the line constituting the upper and lower division, 
that those Districts and all others lying above or North of them, shall 
be supplied with the Tracts and other publications to which they may 
be entitled, according to the Report, from Columbia, and all the Asso- 
ciations in the several other Districts and Parishes below or feouth ot 
that line, shall be supplied from the Association in the City ofCharles- 

2, That the several Associations throughout the State be, and they 
are hereby requested to point out and direct, the Associations m 
Charleston and Columbia, the best mode and route for conyeymg to 
them the publications to which they may be severally entitled, ac- 
cording to this Report. 

3d. They further recommend that the publications which may be 
made by order, of this Association, be distributed amongst the several 
Districts and Parishes in the State, according to a Schedule acconipa- 
nying this Report, which is made upon the presumption that there 
will be 10,000 copies published of each number, which, accordmg to 
the Report, will leave 966 supernumerary copies to be disposed of at 
the discretion of the Associations in Charleston and Columbia. 

4th. And they therefore recommend that the surplus numbers a- 
bove mentioned may be transmitted by the Associations m Charles- 
ton and Columbia, should they deem it expedient so to do, to our fel- 
low citizens in the sister States, in such manner as they may deem 
most advisable. 

All which, is respectfully submitted, . ^^,^^xt 

^ ^ A. W. THOMSON. 



r..nl t 4rn ^ Abbev,Jle,600; Barmvell, 350; ClareBd^u and 
Fni^:^ '/on ' 5^*'^-^^^':;, 42«' Che.te,^old. 200^ Darlington, 250: 
Laurens, .00; Lexington, 200; Marlborough, 150; IS'ewberry 400^' 
Orange and fet Matthews, 280; R,clJand,225; Hpartanbur.^ 600 ' 
Union 4o0; lork 400; St. Philip's and St. Michael's, loO;St' 
James Goose Creek, 50; St. John'. Colleton, 90; St. John'. Berk^ 
ey, 25^ St. Stephen'^, 25, Christ Church, 20; St. Janes' Santet 
12; St. Andrew's, iO; St. Thomas and St. Dennis, 12; St. Bartholo- 
mew's, 125; Prince William-s, 60; St. Luke's, 40, St. Peter^s, 70 • 
HoTv"T^rM'''' Prince George VVinyaw, 75;' All Saints 4'; 
l:ii-^o^,%\^sl'''' St. George's, Dorchester, 50; St. iW 

James S. Deas Esq as Chairman of the Committee on Contribu- 
tions, presented the following Report: v^oninou 

Fre.'TS"'""?^!''" contributions of the General Convention of the 
wanted ?or.'h '" ft'' ^^^^^^^^^i^^^' ^^^Po^, that there will be 

Fnn Th A "rf ,?^ '^^^''"' "P '^ December next, the sum of 

Four rhousand Dollars, of which sum there has been providad the 
sum of three thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars— the bal- 
ance to be now provided, is the sum of four hund;ed and seventy 
tour dollars, which your Committee commend to be raised bv assess- 
ment on the new Associations, aa follows: 

Lamens Association, the sum of «i ok 

St: John's, Berkley, ^dt 

Orange Parish, ^^^ 

St. James' Santee, ^? 

Williamsburgh, ^^ 

Your Committee recommend that this committee be instructed forth- 
with to inform these Associations of the sums 'assessed on them. 

Your Committee further recommend that should the above sum not 
be adequate to the expenses actually incurred, that the Charleston As- 
sociation be authorized through their Corresponding Secretary, to 
collect rateably^ from the several Associations a sun? not to exceed 
hve hundred dollars. 

Whi.h V ^ :, . ^^^^^ ^^AS' Chairman. 

Which Report was adopted. 

Judge Colcock then addressed the Convention, and as Chairman 

fillovvs-"'"''"^ '''' '^^ ^^^^^55, read and presented the same as 

^^fociatioZ'"^ C-onwcn^iorio/^^ic State Rights and Free Trade 

TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH-CAROLINA. 

Fellow-Citizens : 

WHEN we last addressed you from the Convention in Columbia, 
we endeavored to nnpress upon your minds the importance of those 
?nH n?^' r" ""^ '^' '•■' associated; and by an appeal to your reason 
tlS r'*"''^"^^.^^^^''"^P^^»^ and purposes. That Address 
was made durmg a penod of faint and fondly cherished hope, that the 



13 

Congress of the United States, just then assembling, would listen to 
the earnest and solemn appeals made to its justice and wisdom, 
and avail itself of the auspicious juncture to afford a prompt and ample 
remedy for our long endured grievances. It had been publicly an- 
nounced by our Legislature, that when all hope of redress had been 
extingnshed, the State had the ri^ht, and would perform the duties of 
j redressing herself South-Carolina under these circumstances, had 
! paused to wait the decision of the present Congress ; and although an 
j attentive axamination of the principles and purposes of the majority in 
Congress which had enacted and sustained the Tariff, forbade us to 
entertaiu very sanguine expectations of relief, yet we were unwilling 
I entirely to despair. The Congress of the United States has now been 
in session nearly three months. 

All agree, that as far as the General Government is concerned, its 
final decision is now to be made. These circumstances, fellow-citizens, 
authorize us to address you on the present occasion. You are our 
j brethren — our country is our common inheritance — its interests our 
' comnjon property, and its liberty, happmess and glory the common 
objects of our guardianship and defence. If there are any among you 
j who hate the injustice of our oppressors less than what some consider 
• the heresies of our principles — if there are any among you who, after 
i full deliberation, prefer the quiet of a predetermined settled submission 
to injustice and a violation of the Constitution — to the hazard of assert- 
j ing and maintaining our rights, we are willing to confess, however 
I painful may be the recognition of the fact, that an appeal to such must 
be hopeless. No ! We make no appeal to those who think essential 
principles may be compromised, that public tranquility, even if it may 
be the stagnation of death, cannot be purchased at too high a price, 
I and who consider that a gainful traffic may be driven with oppression 
I if any thing be left to sustain the remnant of a miserable existence. 
But to those whose minds may not yet be finally made up on the great 
question of Southern rights and Southern wrongs, and who are yet 
flanging with a lingering, though baffled hope, that these wrongs will 
be redressed by the natural and salutary action of the General Govern- 
ment itself, we would desire to offer briefly a few reflections. They 
belon;5 to the crisis — for there is no device of cunning that can disguise 
even from timidity itself, the fact that the crisis is rapidly approaching 
vvhen the People of South-Carolina will have before them the issue of 
liberty or servitude — infamy or honor — resistance with ajl its hazards, 
n- submission with unalterable disgrace. Our position is a peculiar 
3ne, We would not say that South-Carolina is comniiited, because 
that would imply that we have been led by an intemperate zeal into 
:he occupation of an imtenable position, to maintain which, we have 
•ather now to consult a punctilious sense of honor than a rational esti- 
liiate of our essential interests. It so happens that there are no romantic 
•)r chivalrous notions of national pride — that are half equal in their po- 
ency to the common, manifest, and we might almost say every-day 
md vital interests in the ground we have assumed — however insensibly 
.ve may feel the obligations that are due to the first class ^f these con- 
iderations. 

The peculiarity of our position results from the fact, (whether for 
50od or for e^il remains to be proved,) that this State small in its terri- 



14 

fcorial extent and population, is in the van in the assertion of our rights 
jm the very centre of a geographical division of this rnioii, having com- 
mon interests with ourselves ; and which appears only to a limited de- 
gree, at least, to participate in the intense excitement which has perva- 
ded all classes among ourselves. We shall not attempt to account for 
die phenomenon. We are not disposed to disparage the motives and 
conduct of others. We will not however gainsay our own discernment 
jby admitting, in spite of all this seeming apathy, that because we feel 
intensely we cannot act understanding! y on the subject of our rights — 
or that the fire which has been kindled in our breasts, has not thrown- 
a light elsewhere to irradiate our path and to guide our steps. 

For ten years, (precisely the period which elapsed between the 
;3tamp Act of 1765 and the night when Samuel Adams and John !!an- 
*[!0ck caused the Tea to be thrown over board in the harbor of Boston,) 
ihe public rhind of South-Carolina has vigilantly watched the progress 
•which the Government of the Union was making towards the point 
ivhich it has at last reached ; a consolidation in the hands of an irre- 
isponsible majority, of almost every essential attribute of Sovereignty 
which the States vainly supposed they had reserved to themselves. 
We began by humble petitions, argumentative expositions, deferential 
remonstrances, terminating, after travelling through every sign of the 
political zodiac which marks a poor dependence upon a great and im- 
perial central head, in Protests which we had the folly to think would 
at least be read by our oppressors, although they were incapable ot" 
answering the arguments on which thoy rested. 

If a redress of our wrongs was postponed, we were always told that 
\vhen the Public Debt was paid a reduction would be made in the 
amount of the tribute which ^vo paid, and which formed a principal 
.Item in the aggregate of our gr!e^ ances. That event has, for all finan- 
cial purposes, taken place, and we see it accompanied by the tokens, 
ihat the will of the majority is substituted for the Constitution, and not 
a ray of hope beams upon us, to tell us, that we are to expect even a 
bare and scanty justice. The Secretary of the Treasury, and the great 
champion of the American System, in despite of their angry contests for 
power, have both presented identical propositions for what they are 
pleased to call modifications of ihe Tariff. 

The scheme, fellow-citizens, of the reduction thus offered is a gross 
insult to your understandings, and an unwarrantable piracy on your 
pockets. It is, indeed, nothing short of an expedient to keep the en- 
fire pressure of the restrictive system upon the articles of foreign produc- 
tions, which purchase our staples, and to remove its burden frouj all 
those articles which enter into the consumption of the manufacturing 
States, without entering into a competition with their products. lu 
one word, it decrees that there shall be,, in eftect, a steady discrimina- 
ting diUy of fifty per centum on Southern, and a bounty of fifty per 
centum on Northern industry. Disguise it as you may, this modifica- 
tion makes the Southern States Colonies. 

Now, in all possible calmness and solemnity, we will ask whethei- 
we have delegated this power ? Is it exercised as a substantive power to 
protect manufactures ? Is there one word on this subject in the » onsti- 
Itition .' And js it not derived bj ao kaplication which is utterly repudi- 



16 

aled by a decision of the very question at issue in the Convention which 

formed that instrament. 

But we do not propose to moot constitutional questions. The argu- 
ment has been exhausted. We desire to give a more practical scope to 
our reflections. 

It may be asked what^re we to do ? The answer is at hand : TVhy 
Resist. What, by popular tumult, and revolutionary violence ? No, 
we are yet a Sovereign party to the compact, and our State has nothing 
to do but to say, on the high authority of her Sovereignty, that her citi- 
zens shall not pay this tribute, and it will not be paid. 

Fellow-citizens, should Congress rivet this system upon us, we do 
not see how the constituted authorities of our State can refrain from 
propounding to you in your Sovereign capacity the alternative of Resis- 
tan-e or Submission .' We are free to confess that our Associations 
(without arrogating to ourselves even the privilege of advising our pub- 
lic functionaries as to the course they should pursue,) are distinctly and 
unalterably in favor of the former, because we believe that submission 
would cover with desolation as well as shame, that section of country 
which would be literally placed under the ban of the Empire, because 
we believe, with our prosperity, the spirit of freedom so essential to the 
presei^vation of free institutions would depart forever, because we could 
not live imder the burning shame of being recreant to the precepts and 
examples of that ancestry from whom we indeed derived a nobfe heri- 
tage. 

But thanks be to the wisdom which framed the Constitution, we have 
something higher and better than the sers'ile right to rebel ; and that in 
the confederate form of our Government, m the reser\'ation to the 
States of all rights not delegated — the Sovereign authority of a State 
is amply competent, without commotion or bloodshed, to shield its citi- 
zens from tjTanny and oppression. When our State shall determine to 
interpose its Sovereign authority, we feel a confidence which no dis- 
trust shall impair, that those ditterences which, after all, have resulted 
rather from abstract refinements of constitutional law, than from any 
other cause, will be buried in the ramparts we will throw around our 
country, that her peril wDl be the cement of our Union — her honor, 
her success and her glory — the common objects of our joint and undy- 
ing efforts. The Press, which is the peaceful engine of this Associa- 
tion, shall continue its challenges on the watch-tower. We call upon 
those who think and feel with us to be firm, consistent, tranquil, and 
patiently to wait the decision of Congress. Our Representatives are 
struggling for us and for the Constitution, with a zeal worthy of their great 
cause, and with an ability which wins applause even from their adver- 
saries. Though desponding, their exertions are not remitted. Their 
past conduct — their high character — their Lrnown patriotism, entitles 
them to ovu- highest confidence. They will not give up the cause of 
their country until a relentless majority close the discussion and tell 
them to despair. When that discussion is closed, and we are repulsed 
from the doors of Congress, shall we obey then', when they tell us to 
despair? NO! God forbid! No, the liberties of South-Carolina are 
not held at the pleasure of a majority in Congress, but by the tenure of 
her own courage. She is a F7-ee, Sovereign and Irtdependeiit ^taXe , 



16 

and Willie her citizens are true to theftiseUes, she wUi contmue to be a 
Free, Sovereign and Independent State. 

Itisourdutv, felloxv-citizens, to warn you to be prepared to support 
the Rights of your State. We do not doubt that you have the 
constitutional right to determine on the mode and measure of redress 
upon such an event as we are contemplating ;^ and still less do we ques- 
tion your determmation to preserve your liberties at all hazards ; and 
when It IS at length determined that you are to be perpetually subject- 
ed to "a system characterized by every thing that may define a tyranny 
the most odious," we will join in one common eflbrt for the liberty and 
honor of the State, for we will not believe that there can then be any di\ i- 
sion among us. To those of our fellow-citizens who may entertain 
honest differences of opinion with us, we would say look at our coun- 
try ! ilow much more are you willing she should'bear .' Do you de- 
sire that her submission should be protracted until resistance would ter- 
nimate in weakness and disgrace ? 

The State looks to her Sons to defend her, in whatever form she may 
choose to proclaim her purpose to RESIST." 

The President then suggested to the Convention, that, by reason of 
the mterest and importance of the foregoing document, the several 
gentlemen composing the Committee on the Address, should atfix there- 
to their respective signatures. 

The Meeting concurring, the Secretary called the names of the mem- 
bers of the Committee on the Address ; who, thereupon, came for- 
ward and subscribed their signatures, as follows : 

C. J, COLCOCK, Chairman. 
EDWARD FISHER, 
NATHANIEL HEYWARD, 
WILLIAM C. PRESTON, 
EVAN BENBOW. 



BENJAMIN F. ELMORE, t 

SAmiEL PRIOLEAU, > g 



WADDY THOMPSON, Jr. 

WILLIAM A. BULL, 

A. P. BUTLER, 

THOMPSON T. PLAYER, 

JOHN K. CHARLES, 

Col. Wm. C. Preston then rose and addressed the Convention in 

.siipport of the foregoing document ; which, after the conclusion of 

Col. P's remarks, was put to the Convention and unanimously adopted. 

The President then enquiring if there were other Resolutions to be 

presented, and no other business appearing, he closed the meeting of 

:he 1 ouvention by a brief valedictory address. 

Ax)d the Convention adjourned, sine die. 



1146 



